guardian of this first Universalist Church gathered in America. The mention of some of the many signs of the final and universal prevalence of this grace, the felicity which will attend its triumph, and the duty of those who are permitted to look for its coming, finished the discourse. The concluding prayer was by Zelotes Fuller, of Charlton, Mass.

In the afternoon, the first prayer was offered by Br. Barzillai Streeter, of Troy, N. Y. and the discourse giyen by Br. Sebastian Streeter, of Boston, from the first of Cor. iii. 10. "According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon." In which it was ably and eloquently shown that Christ Jesus the Lord, as preached by the Apostles, John Murray, and others, is the sure and precious foundation laid in Zion, for the salvation of the world. He continued by describing the support which this benignant sentiment has yielded and still yields its sincere followers in the hour of affliction and death; and concluded by ingeniously setting forth and defending the mild and happy influence, which, as it advances, it will exert upon the minds and hearts of men, and upon all the institutions of society. Br. Ezra Leonard, of Cape Ann, made the concluding prayer.

The evening service of said day was commenced with prayer by Br. Hubbard H. Winchester, of Wilmington, Vt. and continued by an interesting sermon by Br. Hosea Ballou, 2d, of Roxbury. Text, Isaiah lx. 2, 3, 4. "For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see; all they gather themselves

together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side." He contrasted the views of religion which prevailed in these parts fifty years ago, with those more rational and enlightened, which are entertained at the present day and inferred from hence the speedy approach of that blessed day, when divine light and truth shall disperse the darkness, and fill the whole earth with the glory of the Lord, and bring all the sons and daughters of Adam to worship before him in the beauties of perfect holiness. These animating services were interspersed with excellent and appropriate music by the choir, attended by full and solemnly attentive audiences, and closed with a devout prayer by Br. Thomas G. Farnsworth, of Newton, Mass. After which we returned to Col. Pierce's, by whose christian liberality and attention, in connexion with others, we were entertained in a most friendly manner. By ourselves and many others, we feel assured this celebration will be long remembered, and numbered among the happiest occasions of our lives. And we cherish the hope and belief that the semi-century return of this day will be celebrated with religious gratitude and joy until Christ shall have an altar in every place, and at every altar, an herald of salvation ministering to his redeemed.

By order,

PAUL DEAN.

P. S. The Editors of Universalist periodical publications are requested to insert the above.

P. D.

Ye observe days and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.—ST. PAUL.

OBITUARY.

Died, at his residence in Shoreham, on the 15th October, after a short illness, the Hon. CHARLES RICH, aged 53 years, a Representative from this State in the Congress of the United States. By the death of this excellent and valuable man, the community have experienced a loss which will long be deplored. "A more upright and useful member than he was does not remain in the house of Representatives. He was truly a business man; and in public and in private life, honored, respected, and loved by all that knew him." From an early period of life, he was a firm believer, and open defender of the universal grace of God, which bringeth salvation unto all

men.

From the Gospel Visitant.

THE PRECIOUSNESS OF CHRIST.

"Unto you, therefore, which believe, he is precious."

1 Peter ii. 7.

The preciousness of a thing is measured by the benefits enjoyed by possessing it. The purest gold, or the most precious stone, would by no means compare with a piece of the most indifferent bread, with one who is perishing with hunger, on a barren, desolate isle. Jesus says, "I am the bread of life." How precious is bread to the fainting soul, who is perishing with hunger! If such an one were presented with gold, silver or the most costly gem, what would he say? Away with these idols of the rich, these perishable gods of those who fare sumptuously every day; but give me but a few crumbs which fall from their overburdened tables. In a land of famine, far from his father's house, the prodigal perished with hunger, until the bread enjoyed by his father's servants was remembered. This precious treasure inspired the wretched, self-condemned, heart-broken sinner, with the noble resolution to return a penitent. For a short season, the gay, fashionable pleasures of sin may intox

to

icate the bewildered transgressor, and he may assay feed on husks, but hunger will soon be felt in all its gnawing keenness. To such, how precious is the bread of life!

This precious corner stone "is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption." How precious is wisdom, even that wisdom which is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy !

To a world plunged to the nether parts of the dark abyss of folly and ignorance, what can be more precious than this wisdom of God? Who can tell the worth of this pure wisdom to the nations of the earth, misguided by superstitious errors and abominable idolatries? Should one be led to inspect the situation of the Christian church, to examine the different creeds, formularies, and frivolous superstitions; and observe the enmity, want of charity, censoriousness and perpetual recriminations which appear to employ the abilities and learning of too many of her spiritual guides, would he not say to himself, where is that precious wisdom which is peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy ? In this view of the infinite necessity of this precious wisdom, would he not adopt the language of Job? "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious Onyx, or the Sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it; and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls; for the price of wisdom is above rubies."

[To be continued.]

MISCELLANEOUS.

"The first Baptist Church of America was founded in Providence, in 1639. Their sentiments spreading into Massachusetts, in 1651, the general court passed a law against them, inflicting banishment for persisting in the promulgation of their doctrines. In 1658, Quakers making their appearance in Massachusetts, the Legislature of that colony passed several laws against them. No master of a vessel was allowed to bring any one of this sect into its jurisdiction on penalty of one hundred pounds. Other still severer penalties were inflicted upon them in 1657, such as cutting their ears, and boring their tongue with a hot iron. They were at length banished on the pain of death, and four refusing to go, were executed in 1659."

"Renunciation of Universalism.-From a letter published in the Hartford Christian Secretary, it appears, that Rev. Crossman, who has been, for several years, pastor of the New Universalist Church at Norwich, Con. has publicly renounced his sentiments."

Dedication and Installation.-On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the new Universalist Meeting-house in Hartford, Con. was dedicated. The next day Br. John Bisbee, Jr. was installed over the church and society in that place. He has likewise taken the editorial department of the Religious Inquirer, formerly edited by Br. Carrique.

Br. Robert Bartlett is appointed to preach the next election sermon in the Legislature of this State, the first appointment of the kind ever given to a Universalist in Vermont.

The total number of Baptists throughout the United States is computed at present to be about 223,000.